high-resolution console?

nitro322 · Guru Joined: 24 Jul 2002 Posts: 594 Location: USA

Under a default RedHat install (which includes framebuffer support), I could pass vga=791 to the kernel through LILO to start with a console resolution of 1024x768 and 16-bit color. Gentoo obviously has framebuffer support, but it will only run at the default resolution, no matter what vga argument I pass to grub. Is there any reason for this, or anything I'm missing? Anyone else get this to work? Thanks allot.

eheintz · n00b Joined: 16 Jul 2002 Posts: 12

I don't recall whether the default kernel config has framebuffer support so if you want ot use vga=791...

Make sure your kernel has at least the following:

Code Maturity Level Options -->
* Prompt for development and/or incomplete code/drivers

Console Drivers -->
* Video Mode Selection Support
Frame-buffer support -->
* Support for frame buffer devices
* VESA VGA graphics console
Advanced low level driver options -->
* 16bpp packed pixels support

Of course you can substitute another driver in place of the VESA driver if it applies to your system (Matrox, Voodoo, etc.)

Then append it as a kernel parameter in GRUBs menu.lst (unless you're going to pass it manually on each boot, of course)

i.e.
kernel /boot/bzImage root=/dev/hda1 vga=791

That should be it.

butters · Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2002 8:13 pm Post subject:

I tried several times to get VGA framebuffer console, but could only get the default resolution with the bottom line off the bottom of the screen. I also used those kernel options and passed the vga=791 to GRUB. I was forced to changed this to vga=normal, because GRUB wouldn't accept 791 as a valid mode.
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BradN · Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2002 8:51 pm Post subject:

try 0x791?

nitro322 · Guru Joined: 24 Jul 2002 Posts: 594 Location: USA

hmm... Tried all of the suggestions, but it still runs at it's default framebuffer resolution everytime (except when trying 0x791, which resulted in an error). I even tryied using vga=ask and selecting one of the resolutions listed, but it still ran at the default resoution. Any other suggestions?

JeroenV · Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2002 10:54 pm Post subject:

hmm, try the correct hex code? For my 1280x1024 this is 0x31B, check (groups.)google.com for yours...
I might add that I have a matrox G450 with corresponding framebuffer support compiled in, maybe there's also a module for your card? I could also imagine that maybe you have to compile the frambuffer stuff hard in (not module), coz it's needed so soon in the boot process. Not sure about this all though...

good luck!
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Russki · Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2002 11:50 pm Post subject:

I've got Nvidia card and to use a console resolution of 1024x768 I had to use a patch. Look hier for more info about the patch.
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Kawada · Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2002 1:52 am Post subject:

Did you compile in framebuffer support specific to your video card? Quite often when not using the standard VESA framebuffer (for instance using the Radeon FB) the line for changing resolution is not vga=* but something else (in the case of the Radeon, it is video=radeon:XRESxYRES). Overall, if you do not really need an accelerated fram buffer (which I don't think many people do) you're better of compiling in support for the VESA framebuffer and nothing else. Its just less of a hassle.

Russki · Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2002 2:11 am Post subject:

RMXO · Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2002 2:41 am Post subject: u using 1.3x or 1.2?

Which version of Gentoo are u using? I was having the same problem on my Dell c600 & c800 when using 1.3b.

when i was using the Gentoo 1.2 img i was able to use vga=791 in grub. i added Framebuffer, VESA & VGA16 & my video module. im not sure vga16 helped or not. i forgot whatelse i added to the kernel. i rem it was "vga=<something_I_forgot>" in the kernel.

but when i used Gentoo 1.3b i wasnt able to use vga=791 in grub. i recompiled the kernel to make it work like 3 times all trying different options in the kernel. nothing worked for me. since it wasnt really important to have it, i just gave up cus i got tired of booting into boot CD & mounting & remounting. call me lazy.

Im not sure why 1.2 worked & 1.3b since im still a n00b. You might want to try out 1.2 if you are using 1.3b. BTW, YMMW.

Hardware:

c800
ATI Rage128 M4

c600
ATI Rage128 M3

1.2 works on those laptops but 1.3b didnt.

Im currently installing 1.3b on my desktop that has a gf3 ti200. so i will test out if i can do vga=791 & vga=794 (1280x1024). when i do my 1st reboot.

sorry, i wasnt able to give yah an exact answer.

rommel · Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2002 3:38 am Post subject:

i have a nvidia gf4 and vesa working...i use 788 though because my screen is big so it looks better....791 is too small....do a search on this its been discussed before

nitro322 · Guru Joined: 24 Jul 2002 Posts: 594 Location: USA

ok, got it working. Finally! After a whole lot of trial and error, here's what I enabled to get it working.